With the holiday season fast approaching, it’s the perfect time to revisit some classic Christmas sitcom episodes, and How I Met Your Mother has plenty. The best Christmas TV show episodes of all time are renowned for drawing viewers in, and even those who aren’t a fan of this time of year typically enjoy seeing their favorite characters’ Christmassy escapades, and How I Met Your Mother is no different.
Every season of How I Met Your Mother features an installment that is set during the winter, but not all of these episodes focus on Christmas. In fact, several of How I Met Your Mother‘s funniest storylines often take place in the events leading up to Christmas, like Thanksgiving and Halloween. Despite this, the hilarious show never fails to warm the hearts of audiences with Ted and the gang’s Christmas antics. The timeline Ted outlines in his story often gets muddled, but thankfully, there is a clear order for How I Met Your Mother‘s incredible Christmas episodes.
5
“How Lily Stole Christmas”
Season 2, Episode 11
“How Lily Stole Christmas” is the first of How I Met Your Mother‘s Christmas episodes, although the festive atmosphere is lacking to begin with. After Lily discovers a voicemail from Ted calling her a “grinch” from when she and Marshall were separated, things explode between the pair. “How Lily Stole Christmas” is a great reminder that the How I Met Your Mother characters have their respective relationships with one another, and this episode highlights the complexities of Ted and Lily’s friendship without Marshall in the equation.
For example, learning that Ted and Lily give each other a beer as an apology for something is a brilliant little detail in their backstories. This episode also reminds audiences that Ted is telling a story, and that when he calls Lily a “grinch,” it’s actually a far worse insult he can’t bring himself to say in front of his kids (despite a lot of his tales being inappropriate, anyway.) With plenty of hilarious little gags about the use of festive language, Ted’s extended family, and Lily’s stubborness, “How Lily Stole Christmas” is a fantastic start to How I Met Your Mother‘s Christmas installments.
4
“Little Minnesota”
Season 4, Episode 11
Season 3 skips over the festive season, with the next Christmas episode being Season 4’s “Little Minnesota,” which features the introduction of Ted’s younger sister, Heather. With Barney constantly trying to hit on Heather, and the younger Mosby in turn trying to prove to her brother that she is responsible, How I Met Your Mother‘s narrator struggles with the chaotic holiday. “Little Minnesota” also shows audiences a more vulnerable side to Robin, who is homesick and gutted that she can’t go home to Canada.
While Christmas isn’t the primary focus in “Little Minnesota,” at least not in the traditional sense, the heartwarming messages in the episode’s two storylines definitely fit in with the occasion. Between Marshall and Robin singing “Let’s Go to the Mall” together, one of How I Met Your Mother‘s best running jokes, and Barney’s sly scheme (which later is revealed to be a comical ruse), “Little Minnesota” reminds viewers that Christmas is about those you surround yourself with.
3
“False Positive”
Season 6, Episode 12
The gang have a Christmas season like never before in Season 6’s “False Positive,” at least to begin with. After Lily and Marshall announce that they’re expecting a baby, only to later learn the test was wrong, everyone starts to rethink their lives, except for Ted. Robin throws away a role (albeit a minor one) with her dream company to be a “coin-flip bimbo,” Barney blows his end-of-year bonus on a suit lined with diamonds, and Lily and Marshall change their minds about having a child.
Thankfully, their mindsets don’t stay this way for long. “False Positive” features some solid character development from everyone, but especially Robin and Barney. Robin pushes herself to get an actual career again and reminds herself of just why she moved to New York in the first place, whereas Barney’s wholesome relationship with his brother’s father, Sam, helps him understand the power of greed and the importance of looking after others.
The image of Ted calling everyone out while holding a gingerbread house is brilliantly funny, and it’s refreshing to see him be the voice of reason. Ted usually relies on the universe for signs and encourages himself and others to take bold and creative risks, but when it comes to Christmas, all he wants to do is eat his movie snack and watch It’s a Wonderful Life, which he gets by the end of the episode.
2
“Symphony of Illumination”
Season 7, Episode 12
Season 7’s “Symphony of Illumination” is undoubtedly one of How I Met Your Mother‘s darkest episodes, but it’s a beautiful watch, both in terms of cinematography and story. “Symphony of Illumination” switches up How I Met Your Mother‘s usual format and is told from Robin’s point of view. After announcing to Barney that she is pregnant, Robin spends the events of this episode sharing the story of his reaction to her two future children. However, this later ends up being a misdirection.
“Symphony of Illumination” tackles the topic of infertility with a lot of care and understanding. Even though Robin frequently voices the fact she doesn’t want to have children throughout the show, this news is still difficult for her to hear. Thankfully, Ted is there to look after Robin, despite being unaware of this life-changing fact, and the Christmas light display he puts on is stellar. Unfortunately, though, this episode also marks the beginning of Ted yet again falling for Robin, only to get his heart broken.
This isn’t the only storyline in “Symphony of Illumination,” however, although it is the main focus of the episode. “Symphony of Illumination” also sees Marshall tackling the Christmas lights on the house on Long Island, which teaches him some brutal lessons about not only going from the city to the suburbs, but also parenting and dealing with sneaky teenagers.
1
“The Over-Correction” & “The Final Page” (Parts 1 & 2)
Season 8, Episodes 10, 11, & 12
Christmas in How I Met Your Mother Season 8 is a huge event and spans across three episodes, “The Over-Correction” and parts 1 and 2 of “The Final Page.” While Barney’s unbelievable schemes in some of How I Met Your Mother‘s more controversial episodes wouldn’t fly today, there’s no doubt that his plan to propose to Robin is genius. When Barney starts dating Patrice, Robin loses it, and she quickly grows jealous. Patrice and Robin’s friendship is one of the funniest recurring jokes in the show, so it’s great Barney utilizes Robin’s so-called arch enemy in his ploy.
Barney’s explanation of his over-the-top Christmas proposal is fantastic, but most importantly, layered. It involves Robin reflecting on herself, revisiting some of her best memories over the years, and Ted letting go of her. Barney inadvertently getting Ted’s approval is a fascinating moment, but it works both ways. Robin caring more about Barney supposedly getting engaged to Patrice and leaving Ted on arguably the biggest evening of his life also proves that she has finally chosen between the two men.
This three-part tale also serves as the last of How I Met Your Mother‘s Christmas episodes. “The Final Page” wraps up with Barney and Robin sharing a tender kiss under mistletoe on the roof of the World Wide News building, cementing their relationship as end game (at least, that is until How I Met Your Mother‘s disappointing TV series finale).
- Release Date
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2005 – 2014-00-00
- Network
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CBS
- Showrunner
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Craig Thomas
- Directors
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Michael J. Shea
- Writers
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Chris Harris, Stephen Lloyd, Joe Kelly, Robia Rashid, Greg Malins, Chris Marcil, Phil Lord, Sam Johnson, Tami Sagher, Gloria Calderon Kellett